I don't like noise. Our dog doesn't like noise. But our old generator made a ton of noise. Every time we had an ice storm, the power went out, the generator went on, and the dog got nervous. I was also not a fan of the generator taking up space near my car door in the garage. I had to squish between the generator and my car to get into the house.
We acquired the Firman 10,000 watt dual-fuel generator that runs on either propane or gasoline. We built a shed from a prefabricated box by adding soundproofing and an exhaust fan. The garage is much happier without the loud beast taking up room where my car door opens, and so am I.
The shopping list for this project:
It was time to get a new generator, and to put that new generator into an outdoor shed.
Do you want to move the generator from the garage to a generator shed?
Read the Generator Shed article here.
The Best Two-Week Outage Generator
The best generator for a two-week outage is the Firman H08051.
This is the dual-fuel Firman model with an electric start button. It does have a pull-start if the button's battery has run out.
The generator runs on both gasoline and natural gas. Natural gas can be either propane or LPG.
With this generator, you can stock up on gas and propane for the winter.
If there's a shortage of either one, you will still be able to power your generator with the other type of fuel. To change the fuel source, you turn the motor off, flip a switch, and turn the motor back on.
The Firman outputs an average of 74 dB of noise. This is much quieter than the generator we used for 20 years. The generator comes with tools, wheels, and oil.
Keep reading to learn how to get free shipping, free lift gate service, and a 5% rebate on the Firman H08051 Generator.
Skip the explanation and view the Firman Generator and shed pieces on Amazon now:
This Generator Has 8,000 Running and 10,000 Starting Watts
This model is the most powerful dual-fuel generator I could find. It's awesome to be able to run the good pump, dishwasher, refrigerator, and microwave at the same time. This generator runs our entire house, within reason. “Within reason” means that we're not turning on every single lamp, appliance, computer, and television at once.
We love the extra power over our old generator. We no longer have to shut down and move power to go from powering the good pump to powering the microwave.
This Generator Runs on Propane or Gasoline, Handy if there's a Shortage
The Firman generator runs on either gasoline or natural gas (which is propane or LPG).
Switching fuel sources is literally as easy as flipping a switch.
There's a nifty lock designed into the switch so you don't switch to propane while actively running on gas.
We chose dual fuel in case we ever needed generator power during a gasoline shortage. The option of running on propane doubles our chances of finding fuel to run the generator.
The generator comes standard with a gas tank and a 20 or 30-lb. DOT-size propane tank connection.
You can also have your gas company hook your generator to a Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) large tank.
This Generator Has a 12 Hour Running Time
The Firman generator runs 12 hours on 8 gallons of gasoline.
That running time is calculated based on your using the generator at an average of 50% for that block of time.
I have looked high and low for how long it runs on a 20 lb. propane tank.
I can't find it. If I do, I'll update this article.
The Firman Has an Electric Start Button
I've never gotten along with pull starts.
Arthritis doesn't make them any easier to use.
The Firman generator has an electric start button as well as a pull start.
Why both? Because you have to keep the battery powered for the electric start button to work! If that batter is dead, you still have a pull start to ignite the engine.
To maintain the battery's charge, start the generator once a month. Leave it running for 30 minutes.
This Generator is Quieter
We were used to a loud generator.
At 74 dB, the generator is not as quiet as a house fan, but it sends way less noise into the house than our previous generator did.
I have PTSD from the noise of the 1999 generator. This is much better on the heart and ears.
Recommended Generator Shed Supplies and Components
After we got the box on Craigslist, we modified it with an access hatch, exhaust port, and insulation.
The Exhaust Port
The box that become our shed came with a louvered window like the one below.
We painted it white and called it a day.
However, we might find on using the generator that we need to exhaust the air from inside the box.
We're ready with an exhaust fan as well.
We already have an exhaust valve going from the generator's output port to the outside. But the box itself does not have any moving air.
Sound Insulation Materials
The sound reduction is a complicated subject.
Sound waves are pesky and smart.
I researched materials to soundproof the generator box.
I was surprised to find so many materials that would not work.
Probably the most effective sound dampener would have been a baffle box.
I was not ready to take this on.
The best material appears to be Mass Loaded Vinyl.
Do not get neoprene or “sound insulation” rubber.
MLV comes in 1/2 lb., 1 lb., and 2 lb. weights.
As with all sound-dampening materials, the more you use, the better your results. Rock Wool is a good alternative, and Batt Insulation comes in 3rd place.
We chose batt insulation. It's just cheaper, and the generator is already so much quieter than our old one.
We cut the pieces and placed them in the shed interior. But when we put the generator in the shed, we realized that the insulation was taking up too much space. So we never installed the insulation in the shed.
Recommended Mass Loaded Vinyl
I like the “soundsulate” 1 lb. MLV. It's 100% virgin rubber, so there's no off-gassing smell.
It's made in the USA and has 22 5-star reviews.
One reviewer used it to prevent cooking smells from coming upstairs.
It also cut all the sound between floors.
Another used two layers to almost completely reduce the drum sounds from next door. A
Another used it on a fence to cut noise.
I was surprised that this worked since sound will travel over obstructions.
Reviews of this MLV are so good, I'm thinking of using this to soundproof a bedroom to give the dog a safe space when fireworks go off.
Batt Insulation
After researching the cost of mass-loaded vinyl, we ended up going with an insulation sound barrier.
We got the R13 Owens Corning batt insulation to line the shed for sound reduction.
I didn't see the R19 (below), which I would have gotten had I seen it.
When installing batt insulation in the shed, do not compress it.
The sound reduction works when there's air between the fibers.
If you use batt, definitely get “faced” batt insulation.
This puts a safe exterior on the side facing into the room.
Fiberglass insulation is nasty. It will poke until you itch and bleed.
BE CAREFUL WITH BATT INSULATION. Use gloves and glasses.
Rock Wool Insulation
Rock wool insulation is effective but expensive. We rejected it in favor of batt insulation based on price.
If I were to use rock wool, I would get these Roxul Rock Wool insulation boards.
I love that they stand up on their own, so inserting them into the shed would be easy.
Use gloves and glasses when handling insulation.
How to Get Free Lift Gate Service and 5% off the Generator
The Firman generator arrived on a gigantic truck.
I mean GIGANTIC.
Some companies selling generators over the internet charge you extra for “lift gate service.”
That's the fee for getting it from the truck to your garage.
We bought our Firman generator from Amazon.
As Amazon Prime members, we got free shipping and free lift gate service.
We also used our Amazon Prime Visa Card to buy the generator. This earned us a 5% rebate off the generator cost.
Here's how to get free lift gate service. Your mileage may vary. Check the current rules.
- Free shipping and lift gate service. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, the generator shipping will be free, including the lift gate service. Get an Amazon Prime Membership here.
- 0% financing and a 5% rebate. If you use the Amazon Prime Visa card to pay for the generator, you will get a 5% rebate on the generator. Get an Amazon Prime Rewards Visa here. Amazon is offering 18-month financing at 0% (available at the time of publication, hurry, I don't know how long the offer will last).
Why I still love the Firman generator after 5 years (Update May 2023):
- It runs on gasoline, propane, or with LPG from your gas company.
- It's way quieter than older model generators.
- It runs for 12 hours per gas tank.
- It has an easy electric start button.
- 8,000 running watts, enough to run my 2-story house.
